Neighborhood Turkey Bowl unites Montgomery Township adults, youths

MONTGOMERY TWP. — Whether it’s a high school rivalry game or NFL action, football is a part of the American Thanksgiving Day tradition.

But there’s a new turkey day football tradition that got started in a township neighborhood last year, and makes for spirited, friendly competition and bonding between Newport Lane neighbors that otherwise might not know each other.

For resident and spectator Seana Hogan, Thanksgiving football is “better when you know half the people” personally.

Near a cul-de-sac in the 100 block of the street, more than 20 adults and youth enjoyed touch football in a back yard.

Raul Phevar said he circulated fliers to all the households in the development, inviting them for the football festivities, “so people could ... have fun at Thanksgiving.”

As is the norm for back yard football, the touchdowns were scored at a quick, almost arena-league-like pace, with some of the TDs vigorously disputed between teams. A few players wore football jerseys, one a Philadelphia Eagles Ron Jaworski no. 7 throwback. Two girls fashioned orange T-shirts into homemade Turkey Bowl jerseys with their last names and a number.

Neighbor and spectator Alexis Beverly said that last year, Phevar got the Turkey Bowl started with a Facebook post.

“We used to go to the Thanksgiving Parade, but it’s so impersonal,” she said, enjoying seeing “everybody I grew up with” playing together.

“Last year, we played on the (Route 202) Bypass (which was closed to vehicle traffic),” said player Mike Kugler. “It’s a good way to start Thanksgiving.”

Joe Blocker, one of the proud “old guys” players, who seemed to hold their own against the younger players, recalled playing informal football like this on Thanksgiving 10 consecutive years when he lived in Philadelphia.

While covering a younger man on a pass play, Blocker injured his finger. He continued to play while gripping the injured digit. When asked if he was coming out of the game to rest or treat his hand, he said, “You get battle scars every year. No, I ain’t coming out.”